What Makes Arthritis Creams Work?
It is the desire of each one of us to live a pain-free life. However, conditions beyond our control at times inflict pain on us causing undue suffering and stress. Inflammation is a complex biological process that the is a response to harmful stimuli such as irritants, pathogens or damaged cells and can be a source of acute pain. When this inflammation occurs at the joints, it causes arthritis.
To alleviate the pain, you need an anti-inflammatory cream that will penetrate the soft tissue including muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and fascia to repair and heal them thereby providing much-needed relief.
Ingredients to Look For in Pain Relief Creams
The market for pain relief creams has all sorts of products from different manufacturers. The multitude of pain creams available can be a little bit confusing especially after you read the pain cream reviews. Of course, each manufacturer claims that their cream offers the best results. The following are some of the top ingredients to look out for as you shop for an arthritis cream.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
This is an anti-arthritic compound that helps in the healing of soft tissue in the body. It contains active ingredients that it drives into the deeper tissue particularly in the inflamed area. The advantage of DMSO is that it penetrates the skin pretty fast and manages to go deep into the tissue without damaging it. It is used in high-end pain relief creams because of its unique ability to transport other compounds into the underlying body tissue thereby helping them to be sufficiently absorbed.
To alleviate the pain, you need an anti-inflammatory cream that will penetrate the soft tissue including muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and fascia to repair and heal them thereby providing much-needed relief.
Ingredients to Look For in Pain Relief Creams
The market for pain relief creams has all sorts of products from different manufacturers. The multitude of pain creams available can be a little bit confusing especially after you read the pain cream reviews. Of course, each manufacturer claims that their cream offers the best results. The following are some of the top ingredients to look out for as you shop for an arthritis cream.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
This is an anti-arthritic compound that helps in the healing of soft tissue in the body. It contains active ingredients that it drives into the deeper tissue particularly in the inflamed area. The advantage of DMSO is that it penetrates the skin pretty fast and manages to go deep into the tissue without damaging it. It is used in high-end pain relief creams because of its unique ability to transport other compounds into the underlying body tissue thereby helping them to be sufficiently absorbed.
Turmeric
Turmeric, a plant extract, is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that reduces the level of pain in the inflamed area. The main component of turmeric that inhibits the action of cell enzymes responsible for inflammation is called curcumin. According to research, inflamed tissues experience a significant reduction in swelling when turmeric is applied.
Boswellia
Boswellia, alternatively referred to as frankincense, is an ingredient that has been used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions for thousands of years. Boswellic acids, the active ingredients in boswellia, have been found to be effective anti inflammatory agents. These ingredients change the way the immune system works by reducing the inflammatory signals from compounds known as cytokines. It works harmoniously with ginger, turmeric and other compounds to create a powerful anti-inflammatory cream.
Arnica
Arnica is a natural pain reliever extracted from the Arnica Montana plant. It has been used as a medicinal ingredient since the 1500s. Arnica is effective for soothing muscle aches and reducing inflammation. In some instances, it has been applied directly to burns and wounds to alleviate pain and hasten the healing process.
Menthol
Almost all arthritis cream reviews mention menthol as one of the most effective pain relief ingredients. It targets the top layers of the affected tissues thereby offering a quick relief to inflammation and pain. It works well in areas that have less tissue such as the knee and elbow regions. When you are shopping for pain relief cream, look for one that has both menthol and DMSO. This is important because the DMSO will carry the menthol and deliver it to the deeper tissues of the body.
All of these ingredients are naturally formulated and safe which means that they will not have nasty side effects.
Turmeric, a plant extract, is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that reduces the level of pain in the inflamed area. The main component of turmeric that inhibits the action of cell enzymes responsible for inflammation is called curcumin. According to research, inflamed tissues experience a significant reduction in swelling when turmeric is applied.
Boswellia
Boswellia, alternatively referred to as frankincense, is an ingredient that has been used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions for thousands of years. Boswellic acids, the active ingredients in boswellia, have been found to be effective anti inflammatory agents. These ingredients change the way the immune system works by reducing the inflammatory signals from compounds known as cytokines. It works harmoniously with ginger, turmeric and other compounds to create a powerful anti-inflammatory cream.
Arnica
Arnica is a natural pain reliever extracted from the Arnica Montana plant. It has been used as a medicinal ingredient since the 1500s. Arnica is effective for soothing muscle aches and reducing inflammation. In some instances, it has been applied directly to burns and wounds to alleviate pain and hasten the healing process.
Menthol
Almost all arthritis cream reviews mention menthol as one of the most effective pain relief ingredients. It targets the top layers of the affected tissues thereby offering a quick relief to inflammation and pain. It works well in areas that have less tissue such as the knee and elbow regions. When you are shopping for pain relief cream, look for one that has both menthol and DMSO. This is important because the DMSO will carry the menthol and deliver it to the deeper tissues of the body.
All of these ingredients are naturally formulated and safe which means that they will not have nasty side effects.